SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS CAN VARY, DEPENDING ON THE DISORDER, CIRCUMSTANCES AND OTHER FACTORS. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
Signs and symptoms of mental illness can include;
- feeling sad or down
- confused thinking
- reduced ability to concentrate
- extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- excessive fears or worries
- tiredness, low energy, problems sleeping
- inability to cope with daily problems and stress
- excessive anger, hostility or violence
- suicidal thinking [1]
Seek help for a mental health problem
If you realise that you are not coping with your daily life, there is help. Seek help for a mental health problem, and you have taken the first step towards getting and staying well.
A wise nurse in Africa told me years ago that a mental disorder is as painful as a physical one. The only difference is that the physical disorder such as a broken leg will often garner more sympathy and understanding, as it is an obvious disorder.
Pain of the mind, heart and soul can be very debilitating.
Helpful services such as counseling, psychology and psychiatry services can make all the difference.
Talk to someone trustworthy and discreet who is able to help you with clear guidance, get support.
An example of a guide to mental health services is available in the link below [2]
Enquire in your area for reputable, affordable and confidential mental health services.
If you live in an area where mental health services are scarce, why not try to sponsor or facilitate the development of a new mental health care resource?
BasicNeeds Mental Health Charity
BasicNeeds is an international Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] working to improve the lives of people living with mental illness and epilepsy.
They have developed a model of intervention that is effective, locally owned, can be replicated and is transferable.
BasicNeeds is predominantly focused on low and middle income countries. Since the Charity's foundation in 2000, BasicNeeds' programmes have improved the lives of over 650,000 people living with mental illness and/or epilepsy, their carers and families.
The link to BasicNeeds is http://www.basicneeds.org/
[1] Mental illness symptoms by Mayo Clinic Staff
[2] A Guide to Mental Health Services in England
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/mental-health-services-explained/Pages/accessing%20services.aspx
Mental Health as Indicator for Burden of Disease
With thanks to mayoclinic.org, healthnettpo.org, nhs.uk
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